Geneva Peace Forum 2026: Choosing Peace Through Dialogue, Diplomacy and Collective Action
- November 5, 2026 09:19
Geneva Peace Forum 2026: Choosing Peace Through Dialogue, Diplomacy and Collective Action
Under the theme “Choose Peace”, the Geneva Peace Forum 2026 brought together political leaders, diplomats, peacebuilders, international organisations, civil society representatives, academics, artists and young voices for four days of dialogue and exchange.
Held from 12 to 15 October at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG), the Forum explored the choices, partnerships and actions needed to advance peace in an increasingly fragmented world. Through high-level discussions, panels, workshops, documentaries, podcasts and artistic activities, GPF26 addressed pressing peacebuilding challenges while highlighting the importance of dialogue, trust, inclusion and international cooperation.
The 2026 edition welcomed 4,143 registered participants and recorded 8,988 session attendances, both on-site and online. It featured 267 speakers, 109 partner organisations and 32 institutions in the Peacebuilding Marketplace.
Opening Day | Choosing Peace: Leadership, Creativity and a Shared Commitment
The Geneva Peace Forum opened on 12 October with a high-level conversation on the choices needed to sustain peace in an increasingly fragmented world.
We were honoured to welcome H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and former Chair of ECOWAS, who delivered the keynote address, reminding participants that:
“War is not inevitable, neither is peace. Both are choices.”
H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and former Chair of ECOWAS
The opening ceremony also featured introductory remarks by Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; H.E. Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; and Ambassador Thomas Greminger, Executive Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Their contributions highlighted the importance of sustained commitment, dialogue and international cooperation in advancing peace. The ceremony was hosted by Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Geneva Peace Forum, and brought together representatives of International Geneva, Switzerland and the wider peacebuilding community
The day's programme featured discussions led by several organisations working on key questions for the future of peace and international cooperation. Under the Mediation in Focus programme, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) opened the series with Peace Mediation Today: Do Norms Still Matter?, examining the continued relevance of established norms in contemporary peace mediation.
The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) organised Choosing Peace in Europe: Building the Next Peace and Security Architecture, examining the challenges and opportunities for Europe's future peace and security arrangements.
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) brought attention to The Human Cost of Conflict: Giving Visibility and Paving the Way for Accountability, a discussion on the impact of conflict on affected populations and the importance of documentation and accountability. The panel featured Iryna Venediktova, Ambassador of Ukraine to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, who shared Ukraine's perspective alongside representatives of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, Principles for Peace organised The Middle East at a Turning Point: Ceasefires, Transitions, New Alliances – and the Role of Regional and European Partners, bringing together regional and European perspectives on political transitions, emerging alliances and the role of international partners in supporting pathways towards peace.
The programme also featured Civilian Voices, a roundtable placing Ukrainian civilians and their families at the centre of conversations on unlawful transfers, detention and disappearances, and highlighting the need for stronger coordination and accountability. The role of art and creativity in peacebuilding was explored through a live recording of the Hummingbird Collective podcast, Creating in a World on Fire: Art, Imagination and Peacebuilding. Hosted by Sarah Noble, the conversation brought together Christopher Bailey, Co-Founding Director of the Jameel Arts and Health Lab, and Moroccan visual artist Seif Kousmate to consider how artistic expression and imagination can foster dialogue, build connections and contribute to peacebuilding in times of conflict and uncertainty.
The opening day concluded with A Ceremony for Peace, bringing together diplomacy, personal testimony and artistic expression. The keynote Peace Message was delivered by David Harland, Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, who reminded participants of our shared responsibility:
“Without a critical mass of people choosing peace, whichever imperfect path they choose, the trajectory of the next few years is likely to be very bad.”
David Harland, Executive Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD)
The ceremony also featured reflections from Professor Marie-Laure Salles, Laura Gowen and Élisabeth Decrey Warner, guided by Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peace Forum and Geneva Peacebuilding Platform. Moving artistic contributions by MANDELA Pilot of the Winds, presenting Soul Bodies, and Maryam Bukar Hassan offered powerful reflections on the human cost of conflict, resilience, memory and hope.
Day 2 | Diplomacy, Regional Cooperation and Voices for Peace
The second day, on 13 October, explored the challenges and opportunities of peacebuilding, from regional cooperation and security governance to geopolitical tensions and the role of individual action. Panels addressed key challenges in conflict prevention, security governance and mediation. A discussion on linking arms control and peace processes, organised by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Geneva, Geneva Call and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), explored Geneva's role as a space for dialogue and the opportunities and obstacles to connecting these agendas.
DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and Interpeace brought together speakers for Security for Whom? Local Dialogue, Youth Inclusion and Security Governance, highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches to security, local dialogue and youth participation. The programme also featured a panel organised by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue on Lessons from Mediating with Criminal Armed Groups, examining the challenges and experiences of mediation in these complex contexts.
The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform with University for Peace organised a panel on Sustainable Peace in Central Asia: Lessons Learned from the Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship, which examined how the agreement signed by Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan can contribute to regional trust, dialogue and lasting stability.
The Forum also hosted Peacebuilding in an Era of Geopolitical Fracture, co-organised with the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR), bringing together international perspectives on the importance of inclusive and locally led approaches to peacebuilding.
Another highlight was the screening of Ambassade, a documentary by Swiss filmmaker Daniel Wyss on the 1979–1981 Iran hostage crisis and the role of Swiss diplomacy. The screening was followed by a discussion with former Swiss diplomat Flavio Meroni, Ambassador Monika Schmutz Kirgöz and Dr Annyssa Bellal, reflecting on the continued importance of quiet diplomacy and mediation.
The 2026 Geneva PeaceTalks: Choose Peace brought together seven speakers to share personal stories of courage, resilience and commitment to peace. This year's edition also shed light on often-forgotten conflicts and overlooked realities, giving a platform to voices and experiences that receive limited international attention. Contributions from Wendell P. Orbeso, Bahishta Nohtani, Anny T. Modi, Kate Gilmore, Annette Willi, Elise Buckle and Jonas Pasquier explored themes ranging from women's rights and human rights to nuclear disarmament, climate action and the role of diplomacy.
The programme also featured a theatre performance by Afghan actors, highlighting the situation of girls living under Taliban rule and the restrictions they face in their daily lives. Through personal storytelling and artistic expression, the PeaceTalks highlighted that choosing peace is an ongoing commitment, expressed through individual decisions and collective action.
The day also featured Voices for Peace, an Open Mic session organised in partnership with the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation and moderated by Ignacio Packer. Five speakers, Prenuja Schlatter-Thayalalingam, Sanela Music Lee, Hafez A. Chamat, François Zankih and Mariana González Mejía, shared reflections on justice, reconciliation, human rights, democracy and community engagement, reminding participants that peace is built through relationships, trust and everyday choices.
Day 3 | From Mediation to Justice, Inclusion and Innovation
On 14 October, discussions addressed some of the key challenges facing peacebuilding, including women's meaningful participation in peace processes, humanitarian diplomacy and the protection of civilians, armed violence and weapons proliferation, disinformation, responsible AI and the links between climate, natural resources and conflict. Sessions also explored how peace agreements can translate into sustainable peace, the role of local media in responding to disinformation, and opportunities for peacemaking in neglected conflicts. Other discussions examined the contribution of Islamic jurisprudence to mediation, inclusive governance through the example of the Åland Islands, and the importance of water and environmental cooperation in advancing peace. A panel organised by DCAF at Maison de la Paix also focused on the security landscape in the Middle East, examining the challenges and opportunities for regional security governance.
Alongside the panels and documentary screenings, participants took part in practical workshops, both in person and online. In-person sessions explored how to make expertise more useful in mediation, transitional justice in the AI era, and the organisational changes needed to ensure responsible AI in crisis contexts. Another workshop examined how art and imagination can contribute to multilateral policy processes. The online workshop, Before It Escalates: AI, Digital Signals, and Collective Choices for Peace, looked at how emerging technologies and digital signals can support early awareness and collective choices to prevent escalation.
A major highlight was the screening of Muganga – Celui qui soigne, directed by Marie-Hélène Roux and inspired by the life and work of Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The film shed light on conflict-related sexual violence and the experiences of survivors. A discussion with Marie-Hélène Roux and Danaé van der Straten Ponthoz of the Global Survivors Fund, moderated by Pierre Hazan, highlighted the importance of survivor-centred approaches, justice and accountability.
Day 4 | The Kofi Annan Peace Address and the Call to Choose Peace
The final day, on 15 October, brought together discussions on women's economic empowerment, conflict prevention, peaceful transitions, peace-positive finance, responsible AI, faith and dialogue, and the links between climate, resources and conflict.
Workshops once again offered opportunities for practical exchange, both in person and online. In-person sessions focused on women's leadership in digital crisis environments, data-driven approaches to peaceful elections and transitions, the BEYOND game as a tool for empathy and protection, and co-creating everyday peace through playback theatre. Online workshops explored regional cooperation for social cohesion in Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans and the South Caucasus, as well as youth-led reconciliation through culture and dialogue in Africa.
The Forum concluded with the 2026 Kofi Annan Peace Address, delivered by Dr. Denis Mukwege, Congolese gynaecologist, human rights advocate and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Drawing on his longstanding work with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, his address placed justice, accountability and survivors' dignity at the heart of the discussion on sustainable peace.
The closing ceremony also featured introductory remarks by Nicolas Walder, State Councillor and Head of the Department of the Territory of the Canton of Geneva, alongside contributions from Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and Geneva Peace Forum, and Professor Marie-Laure Salles, Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute.
Their interventions highlighted the importance of Geneva's institutional and international community in advancing dialogue, cooperation and collective action for peace.
The closing ceremony also marked the presentation of the inaugural Kofi Annan Geneva Youth Peace Prize to Maung Sawyeddollah, a Rohingya peacebuilder and human rights advocate, and Founder and Executive Director of the Rohingya Student Network, a refugee-led organisation established in a refugee camp. The Prize recognised his commitment to advancing education, human rights and the right of Rohingya young people to shape their future. His recognition highlighted the essential role of young people, including those directly affected by conflict, in leading efforts to prevent violence and build lasting peace. The ceremony also included a musical performance by Les Fleurs Tardives, whose blend of Gypsy, Oriental and other musical influences brought a festive artistic dimension to the closing event.
Mediation in Focus | Exploring the Challenges of Mediation Today
A new feature of the 2026 edition, Mediation in Focus, brought together a dedicated series of events examining how mediation can adapt to protracted conflicts, geopolitical fragmentation and growing pressure on multilateral action.
In collaboration with Dr. Pierre Hazan, the initiative provided a platform for practitioners, policymakers and experts to exchange experiences and examine the political, legal and ethical dilemmas shaping mediation today.
Across the four days, discussions explored the relevance of norms in contemporary mediation and the challenges of conducting negotiations in an increasingly transactional world. They also examined women's engagement and informal leverage in peace processes, Geneva's role as a safe space for linking arms control and peace processes, and lessons from mediation with criminal armed groups. Further exchanges addressed the role of Islamic jurisprudence in negotiations and the future of state-building and a possible new social contract in Syria.
Together, these conversations highlighted the need for mediation approaches that remain flexible, inclusive and responsive to the realities of today's conflicts, while preserving the principles and relationships essential to sustainable peace.
The initiative will continue beyond the Forum through The Peacemakers Podcast / Les faiseurs de paix, hosted by Pierre Hazan, extending discussions from Geneva to a wider international audience.
Art, Creativity and Connections for Peace
Art and creative expression were an integral part of the Geneva Peace Forum 2026, offering different ways to reflect on conflict, resilience and the possibilities of peace.
Two exhibitions were presented at the CICG's Espace Ruth Dreifuss. When the Dove Arrives, presented by GOWEN Gallery in collaboration with the Forum, brought together works by international artists inspired by Picasso's Colombe de la Paix, exploring themes of hope, conflict, exile and reconciliation.
At the opening ceremony, Laura Gowen, Founding Director and Curator of GOWEN Gallery, introduced When the Dove Arrives and reflected on the power of art to contribute to peacebuilding. Presenting works by seven contemporary international artists in dialogue with Picasso's iconic Dove of Peace, she highlighted how art can explore the realities of borders, forced displacement and exclusion, while also expressing care, compassion, hope and the possibility of a shared future.
The Voices of Peace, developed by the Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding (CCDP), Everyday Peace Indicators and Interactive Things, presented community perspectives on how peace, security and justice are experienced in everyday life.
Beyond the exhibitions, poetry, music, performances, documentary screenings and conversations explored the role of creativity and imagination in peacebuilding.
The Peacebuilding Marketplace provided another space for exchange, bringing together 32 institutions working across different areas of peacebuilding. It offered participants an opportunity to discover initiatives, share experiences, build connections and explore possibilities for collaboration.
Rewatch GPF26
Missed a session or wish to revisit a discussion? Discover a selection of events from the Geneva Peace Forum 2026 on our YouTube channel, and watch the conversations and exchanges that brought this year's theme, “Choose Peace”, to life.
